How Ferguson Marine is leveraging its 120-year history to deliver the ships of tomorrow
With more than 120 years of expertise, Ferguson Marine is a renowned shipbuilding company whose yard, located in Port Glasgow in Scotland, is the last remaining commercial shipbuilder on the lower Clyde. The company stands out as the only builder of merchant ships on the river. As Ferguson Marine looks to uphold its legacy well into the future, it is dedicated to investing in modern technology and infrastructure that can deliver world-class vessels, fabrication and engineering services. Having undergone significant change in recent years, the company’s shipyard was taken into public ownership by the Scottish Government in December 2019 and now trades as Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Limited. David McVeigh, Business Development Director, discusses the company’s heritage in greater detail.
“Since 1903, we have maintained continuous operations on the same site along the Clyde. Initially surrounded by many more famous companies, the Clyde River was once lined with shipyards, but Ferguson Marine is now essentially the last man standing. While some of our more prominent counterparts have closed their doors, we have endured. I believe this is a testament to the workforce and individuals who guided the business, as Ferguson Marine has always been a cleverly run company with a strong commercial focus. Our heritage is deeply rooted in the Clyde, reflecting the traditions of many other yards in the area. We remain a cornerstone of the local economy and community, with the overwhelming majority of our workforce coming from the Inverclyde postcode,” he begins.
Committed to innovation from the very beginning, Ferguson Marine has continuously evolved alongside the world and the industry over the past 120 years. “Innovation has always been at our core. At one point, about 50 percent of the world’s tonnage could trace its roots back to the Clyde River, whether through construction, design, or the components fabricated there. This strong heritage and innovation are something we draw upon as we align with market demands. In the past, we supplied vessels all over the world, and today, we are building ships tailored to current market demands. For example, we are focusing on zero-emission or low-emission technologies, as these are what the market and the country need,” David informs.
Building on its heritage, Ferguson Marine is positioning itself for continued future growth through various initiatives. “Bringing in experienced shipbuilders is a key part of our strategy. For instance, our new CEO, Graeme Thomson is a seasoned shipbuilder who has progressed from apprentice to senior levels in international shipbuilding. His vast experience has reshaped our goals moving forward. We have broadened our focus to include other markets of interest, such as defense. This includes a project we are currently working on with BAE Systems for Type 26 structures, building on the success of a pilot project that led to this new opportunity. Nonetheless, our biggest achievement in recent years has been the delivery of Glen Sannox, which is performing extraordinarily well. In fact, this ship is far more capable and flexible than anyone initially anticipated. Another milestone we hit over the last few weeks was the completion of dry dock for Glen Rosa on time and to budget. Under our new leadership, we are empowered to consistently uphold high standards of performance. While quality has always been a hallmark of our work, as evidenced by our older vessels still operating well beyond their original design lives, we are committed to ensuring that the many projects we undertake are delivered on time and within budget, all while maintaining our high-quality standards,” he emphasizes.
Ferguson Marine consistently adapts to a dynamic industry characterized by changing regulations and technologies, particularly in its efforts to enhance the
sustainability of its manufacturing processes and products. “We consider sustainability in both our ships themselves and how they are manufactured. Less than ten years ago, we delivered the world’s first low-carbon hybrid ferries – MV Hallaig, MV Catriona and MV Lochinvar – all completed on time and within budget, and they are performing extraordinarily well. These ferries have established a blueprint for the rest of the industry worldwide to follow. Additionally, we have explored alternative fuels with various customers. For instance, we conducted tests and pilot projects to replace standard diesel engines by supplementing them with hydrogen. This test was successful, demonstrating that older technologies can potentially be retrofitted with hydrogen to replace standard marine diesel. We were also the first company in the UK to build an LNG dual-fuel vessel compliant with UK legislation, a significant achievement since it met the stringent requirements of Lloyd’s Register and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for a passenger ferry. This sets a high bar for safety and regulation, and we successfully delivered Glen Sannox to these requirements and look forward to delivering Glen Rosa to the same standards.
“On the manufacturing side, we, along with some customers, are committed to reducing emissions during the fabrication process by utilizing sustainable alternatives like green steel,” David adds. “The industry is keen to see how far we can push these initiatives. From our perspective, the announced investment in our yard provides an opportunity to enhance reliability and productivity while also reducing costs and emissions in the manufacturing process.”
With a lasting legacy on the Clyde and a dedication to innovation and sustainability, Ferguson Marine stands as a pioneer in the shipbuilding industry, poised for continued success. “Over the next five years, we’ll continue to upgrade our infrastructure and embed new technologies in our operations,” David concludes. “We’re encouraging the idea that social value can be scored as part of the tenders for ferry contracts given the benefit of the yard in terms of both the local and national economies.”